soviet ace pilot mariya dolinaHero of the Soviet Union Mariya Ivanovna Dolina enlisted as a volunteer in the 269th Fighter Regiment in 1941 and flew 200 combat special missions in an antiquated U 2 training aircraft carrying orders, mail and medical supplies for the hard pressed Southern Front. In 1942 she graduated to flying the fast Pe 2 twin engine bomber with the 587th Dive Bomber Regiment and her first combat mission was fought above Stalingrad. Promoted to Guard Captain, she